Jillian Howell, softball/ track and field, Sr.
On the field: Howell had one of the more incredible days an athlete could ever ask for.
Last Friday, the senior started her morning advancing to regionals during the District 1-3A/ 2-3A Area Track meet in Tulia by setting two school-records in the shot put (42-2 3/4), followed by a toss of 126-11 in the discus.
Howell then drove back to Bushland and delivered a tremendous performance that evening during the Lady Falcons softball team’s 14-4 win over River Road. Howell torched Lady Wildcat pitching going 4-for-5 with two homers and five RBIs.
On the season, the Louisiana State of Alexandria softball signee is batting .605 with 10 homers and has driven in 48 runs.
Softball Coach Scott Tankersly: “Jillian is a very consistent player. She is someone that you know will get the job done. When she sets her mind on a goal, she’ll work hard to achieve it. I have enjoyed watching her performed in the past four years, and I’m so proud of her.”
Track Coach Madyson Lane: “It was awesome to see her break those school-records. She hasn’t been throwing the discus and broke that record by almost 7-feet. She then broke her own school-record in the shot put and gets a chance to compete regionals and qualify for state once again. She is so awesome to watch. Jillian always has high expectation for herself, and it shows. She raises the bar here at Bushland.”
Howell: “It was a gratifying to be able to set those new school-records. I practice both softball and throwing every other day, and I like doing everything. That’s what I’ve done my entire life. We’ve always played every sport so that’s what I’m used to, and I love staying busy. After track, I was glad to get back and get a big win over River Road. They had beat us the last time out, so we needed that. It was definitely a big day, but I’m just glad to see the hard work pay off.”
About Howell
Favorite band or musician: Red Hot Chili Peppers
Favorite social media platform: Instagram
Favorite athlete: Chance Howell (her father)
Bet you didn’t know: She’s a rock and roll fanatic.
Parents: Chance and Beth Howell.